The first round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia refused to play by the book. Teams perceived to be underdogs defied expectations, successfully stonewalling so-called strong teams, and even handing them stunning defeats. Who would have thought that South Korea would beat the defending champion Germany until it actually happened?

Bangladeshi fans, famous for their unrivalled fascination with the World Cup, are happily engrossed in the fever despite the fact that Bangladesh has never been anywhere near qualifying for the tournament. Aside from flying the flags of their favourite teams, some Bangladeshi supporters have expressed the love for them so remarkably that their acts made international headlines. Even the Argentines have reportedly been so amazed by our support for their team that they are calling for a match between Argentina and Bangladesh teams.

Oftentimes, however, our supposedly friendly rivalry has led to unpleasant or even violent incidents. This is hardly in line with the spirit of camaraderie that any sports event stands for. The fact that disappoints us the most is that our football federation fails to cash in on the frenzy of support from Bangladeshi football enthusiasts. Will we always be cheering for other teams? When will our own team, currently ranked 196th among 211 teams, fulfil our expectations and make a mark in the world football?

With yesterday's France-Argentina match, the knockout stage has finally kicked off. We wish all the teams best of luck. May this phase be as exciting as the first round.